TRUMPETER'S CALL

Galatians 4:16  “Am I, therefore, become your enemy because I tell you the truth?“

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

Who really is the enemy we are talking about? Are they physical, spiritual or both? How do we see the enemy visually? Is he a horned individual. Or is our enemy on a spiritual plain as demons?  I have in past articles quoted Jessie Penn-Lewis (1861-1927) from her book “WAR ON THE SAINTS” which she first published in the early1900’s. In her book, I believe she forecasts the condition of the modern-day churches quite accurately when we look back on it. I am going to open this article using that description because I firmly believe she gives us a firm explanation of who really is our enemy. 

Remember Jesse Penn-Lewis wrote these words some 110+ years ago In Chapter 3 pg.46 of “War on the Saints,” which is titled ‘Deception by evil spirits in modern times.‘ In the special onslaught of the deceiver, which will come upon the whole Church of Christ at the close of the age, through the army of deceiving spirits, there are some more than others who are especially attacked by the power of darkness. Who needs light upon his deceptive workings, so that they, may pass through the trial of the Last Hour, and be counted worthy to escape that hour of greater trial, which is coming upon the earth. (Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 3:10) 

For among those who are members of the Body of Christ, there are degrees of growth, and therefore degrees of testing, permitted by God, who provides a way of escape for him who knows his need. And by watching unto prayer, takes heed lest he falls (1Cor. 10:12,13). He is the Sovereign Lord of the Universe, and Satan is set his limit with every redeemed believer (Job 1:12, 2:6, Luke 22:31).

Some of the members of Christ are yet in the stage of babyhood, and others do not even know the initial reception of the Holy Spirit. There are others, which may be described as the advance guard of the Church of Christ.  Who has been baptized with the Holy Ghost, or who are seeking that Baptism? Honest and earnest believers, who sigh and cry over the powerlessness of the true Church of Christ. And who grieve that her witness is so ineffective; that Spiritism and Christian Science, and other “isms,” are sweeping thousands into their deceptive errors. Little thinking, that, as they go forward into the spiritual realm, the deceiver, who has misled others, has unique wiles prepared for them, so that he might render ineffective their aggressive power against him.

These are the ones who are in danger of the unique deception of the counterfeit “Christs” and false prophets. And the dazzling lure of “signs and wonders,” and “fire out of heaven,” planned to meet their longing for the powerful interposition of God in the darkness settling upon the earth. But who does not recognize that such workings of the spirits of evil are possible, and so are unprepared to meet them?

These are the ones, also who are recklessly ready to follow the Lord at any cost, and yet do not realize their unpreparedness for the contest with the spiritual powers of the unseen world, as they press on into fuller spiritual things.

Believers who are full of mental conceptions wrought into them in earlier years, which hinders the Spirit of God, from preparing them for all they will meet as they press on to their coveted goal. Conceptions which also impede others from giving them, out of the Scriptures, much that they need to know of the spiritual world into which they are so blindly advancing. Conceptions which lull them into false security, and give ground for, and even bring about, that very deception which enables Satan to find them easy prey. 

OPENING PRAYER by Robert.  

Heavenly Father, I bow before your throne and pray for those preparing to enter Spiritual battle Lord. I would submit to you and plead for your filling them with courage, understanding, patience, open-mindedness to receive your spiritual knowledge. Continue Lord with discernment, and your armour outfitted with the Sword of Truth. Embellish on them Father through the Holy Spirit your knowledge of how to efficiently use the Sword of Truth, which is supported with your heavenly gifts and words for prayer and the knowledge when to call upon your angels for covering, support and assistance in the heat of battle. Most of all, Lord bring onto them a heart filled with your love and compassion, remove all thoughts of vengeance, anger, confusion, myths and practical false teachings and especially any “isms.” And finally, Father, remove from them, Lord, any spirit of Martyrdom, in its place loose meekness and humility as they go forward. This, I pray in your name Yeshua. Amen and Amen.

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

Basically, Yeshua has called us into battle and has been preparing our walk for the inevitable future conflicts to come. Our preparation has brought us to a new level of understanding, discernment, and willingness to learn to be an active “Fisher of Men” entering into the Den of Wolves as wise Serpents. I believe we are about to receive information about where the “Den” is and how to identify and deal with the Wolves within it. 

In an earlier article, I quoted one of the US Army’s most celebrated soldier, “General Patton.” I am paraphrasing here; in his quote, he stated, “a soldier well trained and prepared would survive the battles they enter into.” I see our Father has prepared us and is now engaging in informing us who our real enemy is. 

My research shows and is verified by Jesse Penn-Lewis’s earlier report that the teachings most are receiving are insufficient to sustain today’s Believer when entering spiritual battle with our enemy. She Identifies how the enemy has infiltrated our ranks and has weakened the teachings.

Spiros Zodhiates (1922 – 2009) comments from the Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible. “The Apostle Paul ran into a similar situation with the early believers who lived in the Roman province of Galatia established in 25 B.C. This province covered the southern part of Asia Minor and encompassed the cities of Iconium, Lystra, Antioch of Pisidia, and Derbe. It is noted Paul visited these cities and believers twice. During his absence, teachers came from Palestine, called “Judaizers’, and insisted that these Gentile believers could not be true Believers until they submitted to the Jewish ordinance of circumcision. Furthermore, they maintained that the Galatians must adhere to the Law of Moses. These naive Galatian Christians accepted their teachings just as enthusiastically as they had Paul’s.“

Why have I related this information because, in earlier articles, the Father warned there would be false prophets and teachers who would enter into our churches and bring false doctrines as part of their teachings. This has and is presently occurring, and Jesse Penn-Lewis has named who they are and what they are teaching as a doctrine of “Spiritism and Christian science, and other “isms,” which are sweeping thousands into their deceptive errors.”

Here is a powerful myth that many have fallen prey to, which Ms. Penn-Lewis speaks to in her book “War on The Saints” Chapter 3, pg. 47, the question she addressed was, “Can ‘Honest Souls’ Be Deceived?” “One prevailing idea, which such believers have deeply embedded in their minds, is that “honest seekers after God” will not be allowed to be deceived. That this is one of Satan’s lies, to lure such seekers into a false position of safety, is proved by the history of the Assembly during the past two thousand years. For every “wile of error,” which has borne bitter fruit throughout this period, first laid hold of devoted believers who were “honest souls.”   

“Wow,” I’m sure many are going to say, are you kidding me? Really, how can you honestly say these things and expect anybody to believe them? Well, my answer is, “please do not shoot the messenger” and take the time to continue learning what you are about to deal with. Remember, the previous article was a warning of what is coming, and we are now getting the information about what and who we are going to be dealing with. Our enemy is the one who is most familiar with our surroundings and teachings. If you had thought or believed it was a physical movement passing itself as a religion, you are only half right.

This war is being waged on “God’s Call” to find and return “His lost sheep,” and He is placing those with a fervent heart and walk as faithful, dedicated servants willing to get down and dirty as His Army (2Tim.2:21). He is going to teach and equip us to go out and one by one return those Lost Sheep to the Flock (2Tim.2:7). The choice to answer His call is yours and in no way affects your walk within Yeshua’s Salvation and Grace. (2Tim.2:1-2)

I can assure you the depth of your walk is going to be ultimately deeper as will your discernment understanding and wisdom (2Tim. 2:7). Will your life be a peaceful walk as those who journey behind the lines assuredly not, yet rest assured, as the Lord has stated  (2Tim. 2:3, 2:6, 2:10, 2:11-14).

I am wondering if our modern-day churches with their “isms” are not suffering as did the Galatian churches did believing as they do that the work of Yeshua is insufficient for salvation.

Spiros Zodhiates (1922 – 2009) sheds further light on what Paul did to correct this situation. Perhaps through this commentary, we can gain the information needed for us to proceed. Now, remember we are going into the Den of Wolves, and they will know scripture and, in some cases, will rebuke your position with Yeshua. 

” The first way Paul chose to do this was to disprove the Judaizers claim that Paul was not a real apostle, they maintained that since he was not one of the twelve original apostles. Paul showed he was equal to the original apostles because he received his doctrine from a revelation straight from Yeshua (Gal. 1:11-19).

He had even rebuked the Apostle Peter when there was a dispute over whether he, as a Jew, should be allowed to disregard the Mosaic Law. Once he had established his Apostolic authority, he proved that men are justified by faith in Christ’s atoning work rather than by the works of the Law (Gal.2:15 – 4:15). This leads to his final topic of being led by the Spirit. (Gal.5:16 – 6:10). 

Here we can see our walk is like Paul, we received our doctrine through the Holy Spirit’s leading. Teaching us His principles bringing us into a personal relationship with Yeshua as His modern-day disciples and warriors.

Here is Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) commentary giving us a further look at how to deal with this situation within the Den of Wolves. “But observe, first grace, and then peace; there can be no true peace without grace. Yeshua gave himself for our sins, to make atonement for us: this the justice of God required, and to this, he freely submitted. Here is to be observed the infinite greatness of the price bestowed, and then it will appear plainly, that the power of sin is so high, that it could by no means be put away except the Son of God be given for it.

He that considers these things well understands that sin is a thing the most horrible that can be expressed, which ought to move us and make us afraid indeed. Especially mark well the words “for our sins.” For here our weak nature starts back, and would first be made worthy by her own works. It would bring him that is whole, and not him that has need of a physician.

Not only to redeem us from the wrath of God, and the curse of the law; but also to recover us from corrupt practices and customs, to which we are naturally enslaved. But it is in vain for those who are not delivered from this present evil world by the sanctification of the Spirit, to expect that they are freed from its condemnation by the blood of Yeshua.”

“Those who would establish any other way to heaven than what the gospel of Yeshua reveals will find themselves wretchedly mistaken. The apostle presses upon the Galatians a due sense of their guilt in forsaking the gospel way of justification, yet he reproves with tenderness and represents them as drawn into it by the arts of some that troubled them.

In rebuking others, we should be faithful, and yet endeavour to restore them in the spirit of meekness. Some would set up the works of the law in place of Yeshua’s righteousness, and thus they corrupted Christianity. The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, everyone who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels than that of the grace of Yeshua, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride, or more favourable to worldly lusts, are devices of Satan.  

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom comes, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. This we pray in the name of Yeshua. Amen and Amen. (Matthew 6:9)

CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert

Our Lord Yeshua, has I believe prepared us, informed us, equipped us, and is now sending us into the den of Wolves to perform in His Father’s name to find and return those who have strayed from the flock. Keep in mind this is for Yeshua as modern-day disciples going forward as “Fishers of Men” casting our nets into the darkness, as bright lights (Stars) illuminating the way to Yeshua, those possessing the living water to quench the eternal thirst.

As I opened with a quote from  Jessie Penn-Lewis (1861-1927), I am closing with some information from her book “War On The Saints” Chapter 3, pg 49. The topic is deception, and how she defines it for us to recognize even as fully prepared warriors, we must know how the enemy will try to”DECEIVE” us. 

“Deception” has to do with the mind, and it means a wrong thought admitted to the mind, under the deception that it is truth. Since “deception” is based on ignorance, and not on moral character. A Christian who is “true” and “faithful” up to the knowledge he has, must be open to deception in the sphere where he is ignorant of the “devices” of the devil (2Cor. 2:11), and what he is able to do. A “true” and “faithful” Christian is liable to be “deceived” by the devil because of his ignorance.

The thought that God will protect a believer from being deceived if he is true and faithful is in itself a “deception,” because it throws a man off guard. And ignores the fact that there are conditions on the part of the believer which have to be fulfilled for God’s working. God does not do anything instead of a man but by the man’s co-operation with Him. Neither does he undertake to make up for a man’s ignorance, when He has provided knowledge for him, which will prevent him from being deceived. Yeshua would not have warned His disciples, “Take heed.. be not deceived” if there had been no danger of deception, or if God had undertaken to keep them from deception apart from their “taking heed” and their knowledge of such danger.

What I believe was conveyed from her writings was “do not become complacent” in your walk or confrontations. Be in prayer meditation at all times and put all things before the throne of God and wait for an answer in all that we do from here forward. God’s blessings are with you and remember He will not put anything before you that you cannot handle or endure, be sharp and always alert (wise as a
Serpent, gentle as a dove).

Remember, these messages are given by a humble servant obedient to our Lord Yeshua as a “Watchman.” I pray for all. ”Our Heavenly Father brings us to the river which bringeth forth fruit so we may partake of its sustenance and be filled spiritually with nurturing wisdom, and humble dedication in service to Yeshua.“ “Blessings to All.” As you go forward in peace, knowledge, and strength. In the name of Yeshua, we pray Amen and Amen.

What is a man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou, has made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (Psalm 8:4,5.) 

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

Over the past months, actually, years I have related a number of messages as a Watchman sounding the Trumpet for all to hear the warnings being received through the primary messenger of God the “Holy Spirit”. I could write a whole book just on his work. However, that is not the leading from him at this time. I am being shown to open the door for all to know there are several different types of messengers God uses to communicate with us. For instance, in the old testament, He used Prophets. One of those was Isaiah. He even had an Ass speak to another Prophet Balaam (Numbers 22:28)

The words of Isaiah are among the most beloved prophecies in the whole Bible. But before Isaiah began receiving a prophecy from the Lord, he underwent an initiation ritual in the Temple. His mouth was cleansed by burning coal taken from the altar. Then a Seraph declared: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out” (Isa. 6:7). “Seraphs were in attendance above him.” 

OPENING PRAYER by Robert

As we journey forward Heavenly Father, we look for your guidance and comforting. We thank you, Lord, for each moment you dedicate to our lives, families, and homes. As we hear from the Holy Spirit, we know your voice is being listened to through him and all those infirmities which may plague us will be healed and a hedge of protection built around our lives. We thank you, Father, for all your mercies and abundant dealings you perform on our behalf. Thank you, Lord, for being our Shepherd and bringing us to bountiful pastures. This we pray in your name Yeshua. Amen and Amen.

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

We do not always recognize God’s messengers so the Holy Spirit is providing information that we might when we encounter or hear from a messenger, know they are messengers from God. As we will find God’s messengers come in many different forms, abide in various places, and fill many different occupations. 

As one of Gods possible messengers, Jonathan Lipnick Dean of the Holy Land Studies Faculty continues through the following description. Like angels, Seraphs are divine messengers. Their job is to proclaim the glory of God. With thunderous voices, they proclaim “Holy, Holy, Holy” shaking the foundations of the Temple. But they have an additional job – to guard the throne of the Lord within the Holy of Holies. They do so, using fire. The Hebrew word seraphim (שְּׂרָפִים) comes from the root SRF (שרפ) which means “to flame.” Seraphs are six-winged “burners” who use fire to deter intruders.

Now, from the Expository commentary, we see another messenger we definitely will recognize and how his message verifies our relationship to Him. 

“Thus He has been making it more and more evident that the only way to receive the Kingdom of  God is to welcome Himself as the Son of the living God come to claim the hearts of men for His Father in heaven. How is it with the little band? Is theirs the popular notion, which classes the Son of God as only one among other gifted sons of men, or do they welcome Him in the plenitude of His divine prerogative and power?

Hence the first inquiry, which brings out the answer: “Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” This is manifestly the popular idea at its highest and best. There was no doubt, among the people those whose thought already was “Away with Him! Away with Him!”  But it might well go without saying the disciples had no sympathy for these. It did, however, remain to be seen whether they were not content, like the rest of the people, to accept him as a teacher sent from God, a great prophet of Isreal, or at most a John the Baptist, the mere herald of the coming King.

We can imagine then, with what intensity of feeling the Master would look into the disciple’s eyes as He put the question, “But whom say ye that I am? And with what joy He would hail the ready response of their spokesman Peter, when, with eyes full of heavenly light and heart glowing with sacred fire, he exclaimed, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!” 

The answer Peter gave clearly shows what it was that bound the faithful few to Yeshua; and in his response, three reasons for faith may be discerned. 

1. Yeshua satisfied their deepest spiritual wants. They had found in his provision  their whole nature and had learned the truth of His saying, “He that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and He that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” They could now say, “Thou hast the words of eternal life.”  His words brought them nearer to God, promised them eternal life, and began it within them. From the lips of Yeshua had actually fallen words which quickened within them a new life a life which they recognized as eternal, as lifting them up into another world. These words of His had given them new thoughts about God and about righteousness, they had stirred hopes and feelings of an altogether new kind. And this spiritual life was more to them than anything else. No doubt these men, like their neighbours, had their faults, their private ambitions, their hopes. 
2. Peter was convinced not only that Yeshua had the words of eternal life, but that no one else had. “To whom shall we go?” Peter had not an exhaustive knowledge of all sources of human wisdom. But speaking from his own experience, he affirmed his conviction that it was useless to seek life eternal anywhere else than in Yeshua. So that those who reject Him, or set Him on a level with other teachers, have first of all to deny the chief part of what His contemporaries were struck with and reported, and to fashion a Christ of their own.
3. Upon our faith, nothing is more influential than the holiness of Yeshua. Nothing is more certainly Divine. Nothing is more characteristic of God-not His power, not his wisdom, not even His eternal Being. He who in his own person and life represents to us the holiness of God is more certainly superhuman than he who represents God’s power. A power to work miracles has often been transferred to men, but holiness cannot be delegated. It belongs to the character, to the man’s self. It is a thing of nature, of will and of habit. So the holiness of Yeshua was even more convincing than His power or His Message. It was such holiness as caused the disciples to feel that He was not a mere messenger. His holiness revealed Himself as well as Him that sent Him, and the self that was thus revealed they perceived to be more than human. When, therefore, their faith was tried by seeing the multitudes abandon their Lord, they were thrown back on their surest ground of confidence in Him. And that surest ground was not the miracles which all had seen, but the consecrated and perfect life which as known to them.   

Now with this information, it becomes clear we need to understand how we as “Modern Day Disciples” have the authority to go forward in Yeshua’s name. His disciples received their authority directly from Yeshua. I believe the answer to the question is provided by the following teaching brought forth by The eDisciple a  weekly teaching email on the Gospels, adapted from the Torah Club commentary a division of TORA-PORTIONS. The teaching being quoted covered the following: “Yeshua gave Peter the “Keys to the Kingdom.” What are they, and how do they work? 

In Matthew 16:19, Yeshua gave Simon Peter the “keys to the kingdom.” The popular folk-image of Saint Peter receiving souls at the gates of heaven derives from this passage. The keys are not literal keys, nor are they, keys to the heavenly paradise. The term “Kingdom of Heaven” refers to the Messianic Era, not Heaven. To possess a key is to possess the authority over that which the key unlocks. By giving Simon Peter the “keys to the kingdom,” He invested him with authority to unlock the way to the Messianic Era. 

In that interpretation, the keys to the house of David represent the power to teach authoritatively, to open and close arguments of the Torah and make final decisions. Likewise, Yeshua invested his chief disciple with the authority of speaking on His behalf, transmitting and interpreting His teaching, just as the sages transmitted and interpreted the legal codes. Moreover, he gave His Peter (and by extension, all the disciples) administrative and legal authority to apply and interpret His teachings. Just as in the Messianic Era, they will sit upon twelve thrones judging over the twelve tribes, He accorded them the authority to make decisions on behalf of His assembly in the current age. 

Here we see a completely different messenger a group of Messianic followers within the Torah Club a division of TORA-PORTIONS submitting their commentaries as an informative, message, on a weekly basis. However, what we can glean from these comments is “where our authority to legally apply and interpret Yeshua’s teachings is established. As well that he forwarded the authority to make decisions on behalf of Yeshua’s assembly in the current age.

Something to remember Satan is a legalist and stands on all of God’s laws so when he confronts us on any issue is challenging your authority to minister the truth. Job 1:7 “And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said. From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”  

So now recognizing how the authority to minister our Lord’s truth was established it becomes clear those declaring to be “Modern Day Disciples” are in essence God’s authorized “Messengers” and as such instantly become Satans enemy! We see true messengers cannot be delegated they must have the spirit of God in them as Peter did when, with eyes full of heavenly light and heart glowing with sacred fire, declared Yeshua, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!”  So, when he who in his own person and life represents to the world, the holiness of God, as Peter did, is more certainly superhuman than he who represents God’s power.  And now know without any doubt where the strength to go forward looking for that one soul to save as Yeshua did, originates from.

CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert 

I am closing by quoting from the Depository commentaries as I believe my sentiments of what has just been shared with us is fully explained in this commentary. “ To ourselves, then, I say, by the circumstances of our time this question comes. “Will ye also go away?”  Will you be like the rest, or will exceptional fidelity be found in you? Is your attachment to Yeshua so based on personal conviction, is it so truly the growth of your own experience, and so little a mere echo of popular opinion, that you say in your heart, “Though all men should forsake Thee, yet will not I“? It is difficult to resist the current of thought and opinion that prevails around us. Difficult to dispute or even question the opinion of men who have been our teachers, and who have first awakened our mind to see the majesty of truth and the beauty of the universe. It is difficult to choose our own way, and thus tacitly condemn the choice and the way of men we know to be purer in life, and in every essential respect better than ourselves. And yet, perhaps, it is well that we are thus compelled to make up our own mind, to examine the claims of Yeshua for ourselves, and so follow Him with the resolution that comes of personal conviction. If we truly love Him and find that He has taken a place in our life we cannot ever give to another, if we are conscious that our future lies His way, and that we must in heart abide with Him, then all our slowness to understand is patiently dealt with, all our underrating of His real dignity is forgiven us, and we are led on in His company to perfect conformity, perfect union, and perfect knowledge.

Thus we now know why God our Father in heaven called us to return to His Laws follow in His Sons footsteps as Modern Day Disciples to ultimately become His authorized “MESSENGERS” to find that one lost soul as His Son did!

John 4:6 Now Jacobs well was there. Yeshua, therefore, being wearied with His journey sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. v7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Yeshua saith unto her, Give me to drink. 

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Father in heaven thank you for this spiritual food which you have brought to us through the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord, for calling us to examine our walk and learn the depth of our love for you. Thank you, Father, for showing us who are the true messengers of your word. Thank you for having the patience with us as we slowly move forward in your walk to become your messengers. This we pray in the name of Yeshua Amen and Amen.

Remember these articles are just messages of a humble obedient Servant called to be a Watchman sounding the Trumpet to the make the flock aware. God’s blessings to those who hear the Trumpet. And know true messengers cannot be delegated they must have the spirit of God in them as Peter did when, with eyes full of heavenly light and heart glowing with sacred fire, declared Yeshua, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!” 

Robert

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. (2Peter 2:9)

PREAMBLE by Robert    

Knowing the nature of man, the Holy Spirit has brought us a warning not to fall into our practical life and succumb to our bodies temptations (passivity). Apostle Paul warned we need to put our bodies into submission. Coming out of the darkness truly is a miracle recognizing you were a spiritual prisoner of war subject to the wiles of the enemy, under Satan’s control and whims. Being born again is literally having your spirit removed from Satan’s power. Brought into the light of Yeshua as a new spirit now filled with the knowledge of your free will, supported by precious Faith having the ability to decide where your walk is going to take you, and who you are going to follow to get to life and eternity.     

“OK,” there are those who will scoff at what I am about to reveal! They were around in Paul’s time as well. However, Paul left us knowledge of how to deal with them, and to recognize it’s important we don’t fall into the trap of thinking we are more than we really are once we accept the gifts God will bestow on His elect. I believe those who have followed our articles, who have fervently made the changes in their walks and are repentantly walking in the light of Yeshua, are those elect who would and will receive God’s gifts.  As such no matter the depth of your walk or position you believe you’re in with Yeshua, please study this article as it is for all, Satan’s plans are so subtle and his minions very highly skilled, patient, and crafty. We are all affected by his plans to cause us to stumble 

OPENING PRAYER by Robert

Heavenly Father, hear this short petition which I lay before your throne and plead for your attention. Father, as you called to have your children come out of the darkness and false teachings, audit their walk and return to your laws. My petition is to provide through the Holy Spirit guidance protection and a clear mind to see the snares in place and those laying in wait. Bring them Father knowledge of how to recognize your will through the Holy Spirits tutoring. Provide food for their soul to nurture their free will and strengthen its understanding of how to exercise it and make it more efficient in their pursuit of Salvation Life and Eternity. This I pray in the name of Yeshua Amen and Amen.

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

Paul, in his letter in 1Corinthians 4:7-13, describes a condition the Corinthians had fallen into and what they should do to fix it. I believe the Holy Spirit has brought us to 1Corinthians 4:7-13 to show us where we actually stand in God’s presence. Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) comments emphasize the importance of this position in the believer’s life, no matter the depth of their walk.  “We have no reason to be proud. All we have, or are, or do, which is good, is owing to the free and abundant grace of God. A sinner snatched from destruction by sovereign grace alone, must be very absurd and inconsistent, if proud of the free gifts of God.  

In my earlier comments, I eluded to our will being once again free to guide us in our choices of who we follow for guidance in our journey to eternity. The previous articles have been preparing us for battle. Have you not wondered who it is we are to do battle with? I am bringing forward information presented by Jesse Penn Lewis (1861 – 1927) on pg 70 -71 from her book “WAR ON THE SAINTS,” where she describes our most vulnerable time as born-again followers of Yeshua. She states, “There is a passivity of the will; the “Will” being the helm, so to speak, of the ship. This originates from a wrong conception of what full surrender to God means. Thinking that a “surrendered will” to God means no use of the will at all, the believer ceases to (1,) choose (2) determine, and (3) act of his own volition. The dangerous effect of this, he is allowed by the powers of darkness to discover, for at first, the consequences are trivial and scarcely noticeable. In fact, at first, it appears to be most glorifying to God. The “strong-willed” person suddenly becomes passively yielding. He thinks that God is “willing” for him in the circumstances, and through people, and so he becomes passively helpless in action.   

Ms. Penn Lewis is precise in her rendition on passivity and then goes on to identify the scripture most misinterpret Philippians 2:13 “It is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to work His good pleasure.“ ‘The affected person reads it, “… God which worketh in me the willing, and the doing,” i.e., willeth instead of me.” The first means God working in the soul up to the point of the action of the will. And the second assumes His actually “will”-ing instead of, and “working instead of the believer. This wrong interpretation gives ground for not using the will, because of the conclusion “God wills instead of me”; thus bringing about the passivity of will. 

Why am I bringing this information to the forefront? What is the Holy Spirit attempting to show us? When we go to Philippians 2:12, perhaps he is showing us that God is supporting what we are required to do when working out our Salvation. Giving us the answers to our prayers we place before Him once we use our free will in determining how and what we will be using to work out our Salvation.  You see Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) comments, “He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian course: Work out your own Salvation. It is the salvation of our souls (1Peter 1:9), and our eternal redemption (Hebrews 5:9) and contains deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and exposed us to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is necessary to our complete and final happiness. The word signifies working thoroughly at a thing and taking true pains. We must be diligent in the use of all the means which conduce to our salvation. We must not only work for our salvation, by doing all that is to be done and preserving therein to the end. Salvation is the great thing we should mind and set our hearts upon, and we cannot attain salvation without the utmost care and diligence. He adds, With fear and trembling, that is, with great care and circumspection: “Trembling for fear lest you miscarry and come short. Be careful to do everything in Christianity in the best manner, and fear lest under all your advantages you should so much as seem to come short.” (Hebrews 4:1) Fear is a great guard and preservative from evil. 

If you recall in an earlier article, I stated we have been snatched from Satan, and as such, he would then recognize us and develop a plan to win back control over us. Please note his attacks now will be to prevent our movement forward within God’s light by any means he can. The Holy Spirit revealed one of his very subtle plans is just to have us following one of his minions, believing it is God we are following or receiving instruction from which is the Passivity of our will. This is usually one of his very first attacks bringing believers into the passivity of their free will, bringing it into idleness. Remember, our free will, when combined with faith (which is powerful already), becomes what I call supercharged and unmoveable and impossible for Satan to defeat. Then connect the information garnered through the use of your will (discernment, understanding, wisdom, mercy, tolerance, patience, devotion, godliness, and goodwill) placed before God’s throne for confirmation and received via the Holy Spirit as God’s will and confirmation (Philippians 2:13). I believe we now know why Satan wants us to become passive prisoners again because once we recognize these gifts operating through and in our free will, there really is no one who can stand against us (Romans 8:31).   

Jesse Penn Lewis (1861 – 1927) from her book War on the Saints from pg 74 – 75 explains, “GOD DOES NOT WILL INSTEAD OF MAN”! The truth to be emphasized is that God never “wills” INSTEAD of man, and whatever a man does, he is himself responsible for his actions. The believer whose “will” has become passive, finds after a time, the most significant difficulty in making decisions of any kind, and he looks outside, and all around him for something to help him to decide the smallest matters. When he has become conscious of his passive condition, he has a sharp sense of being unable to meet some of the situations of ordinary life. If spoken to, he knows he cannot listen till a sentence is completed; if asked to judge a matter, he knows he cannot do it. If he is required to “remember” or use his imagination, he knows he is unable to and becomes terrified at any proposed course of action where these demands may come upon him.  

PERSONAL TESTIMONY by Robert 

At this point, I am being compelled by the Holy Spirit to share. What has been brought to me by the Holy Spirit as tools and weapons for those caught in Passivity? To battle their way back into control of their will. Please recognize it will be a significant spiritual battle; however, totally winnable if the individual follows the lead of the Holy Spirits guidance and input.

Currently, I am spiritually assisting and emotionally supporting a gentleman who is fighting Passivity in his Christian walk, which has been compromised for a lengthy number of years. This situation was brought to my attention by his wife. Who has had enough and was frustrated with where their relationship is going. As for any further background, I am not going to relate as it is not necessary nor lends anything to what I am about to testify as I would see it as gossip. For simplification of this part, I will refer to the gentleman as J.   

The purpose of this testimony is to place before those following Yeshua’s lead through the Holy Spirit’s information, which will inform support and return control over their free will. I believe what is being shared is the power of God being applied through the leading of the Holy Spirit to an individual in a spiritual battle to regain complete control over his Free Will.  

Jesse Penn Lewis (1861 -1927) gave us pertinent information to understand how Satan could be successful by the lack of information (proper spiritual teachings), acknowledging we are at war from the moment we accept Yeshua as our saviour. What will bring back total control over this individual’s Free Will, which is in passivity, is sound information obtained by that person to recognize, work and use as a weapon, that information being supplied by the Holy Spirit. This battle is personal, however, supported by the Holy Spirit using me (Robert) as a willing vessel to lend physical support to a fellow Christian.  Remember, it is my heart’s desire to save a soul from death; anyone being in a passive state is on the broad path to destruction; they just don’t realize it.  

*** A spiritual rule Satan cannot operate in our lives unless we give him permission to do so.*** I can hear many stating I would never do that willingly. Here is an example of how easy it is for Satan to gain ground in our lives ever had a thought about a sin of any nature and not rebuked it, grounds are given. When a thought enters our mind it is our responsibility to be in control (James 2:4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? It matters not where the idea originated from. It’s what we do with it when recognized.  

The Holy Spirit showed me how J was being held in passivity and what I needed to relate to J for him to understand who he was, always praying for spiritual leading. J has suffered from inaction for approximately 25 years, which has over those years, destroyed his ability to hold a job, has driven his children away and, at this point, divided him and his wife. Many of the symptoms Jesse Penn Lewis described have established themselves as regular living habits for J. For me to begin working with J, I needed to build trust and that I was working as an instrument of God through the Holy Spirits guidance.  

With that established, I began to demonstrate how J was placing himself into submission to this entity he believed was his god. I presented a simple question which involved the use of his free will. J immediately went into prayer, asking for leading how to deal with this request. I pointed out he didn’t need to pray and to recognize who he was or had been praying to and that it was not God but a demon posing as God. I quoted James 3:16 For where envying and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work. 

Why I used this scripture was to show J what was in his life and why he lost the respect of his children why he had no real friends why people were shunning him why people could not carry on a sensible conversation as well why he seemed to be in a confused state at all times. The other thing I offered him to see was his inability to make a decision on his own, especially when it involved his free will. I showed him where he immediately went into prayer, asking for guidance, which was really not necessary.  

I related the following information and exercise for J to follow over the next period of time to slowly break free from the grasp and dependency on praying for guidance. I showed J he needed to halt all information about spirituality before accepting it as truth. For J, it was a simple word “NO,” he had to learn how to say and take “NO” when any spiritual thoughts entered into his mind or conversation. I explained this was the first step to retaking control of his free will by preventing any form of information coming into that thought process. I related his next step was to stop all processing of data until he could move onto the next phase of deciphering who was providing the information. He was not to immediately pray nor without exception accept any thought process. The next step was to ask how the information pertained to his personal relationship with God, then ask if the info edified his walk. Third, did it edify the Lord the third stage was to determine who this information was from based on data from the first two? The final step once learned who was delivering info J would either accept as from Holy Spirit or reject from a false god. Each step was forcing j to use his free will gather information to take and place before the throne in prayer, asking for confirmation and edification in the spirit. 

What I pointed out to J was each time he went to his free will, it was getting stronger and easier to use, just like exercising a muscle. As well he was gaining more and more control, pushing this entity further and further away from him by standing on truth instead of lies. What I was showing him was that once we put everything on hold and discern the information is from the Holy Spirit. Is why we are then to pray and place our concerns or questions and queries. For confirmation before the throne of God.  I took him to Romans 8:26-28 v26. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. v27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Here is where I showed J his misunderstanding of Philippians 2:13 and how God’s will is applied to us as saints. v28. And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. 

Currently, I am still working with J as this is an ongoing battle with the progress and freedoms of J’s free will won. However, there are more battles ahead as over time, many different lies deceptions and fiery darts have been put into place. Jesse Penn Lewis (1861 -1927 has described possibly seven other spirits operating as passivity. I see it as an Octopus with eight tentacles. Each one must be dealt with in like manner using J’s rejuvenated free will and polished faith. I will periodically put a testimony as it applies to future articles. This is an example of continuing to work out our Salvation, bringing our flesh into subjection who it is and what we are at war with. Again I welcome you to Fighting the first fight rescuing a lost soul from death. Thank you for your patience. 

CLOSING COMMENTS 

I want to close with Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) comments on Romans 8:26 – 28. Because I feel he in his commentary is showing us just how much we need to learn about our walks and relationship with our Father Yehwah, the son Yeshua and our teacher and comforter the Holy Spirit.  “Our weakness in prayer: 1). We know not what we should pray for as we ought. As to the matter of our requests, we know not what to ask. We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is good for a man in his life? (Ecclesiastes 6:12). We are short-sighted, and very much biased in favour of the flesh, and apt to separate the end from the way. You know not what you ask, (Matthew 20:22). We are like foolish children, that are ready to cry for fruit before it is ripe and fit for them to see (Luke 9:54,55).  2). As to the manner, we know not how to pray as we ought. It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well, seek in due order, and here we are often at a loss -graces are weak, affections cold, thoughts wandering, and it is not always easy to find the heart to pray. (2Samuel 7:27). The Apostle speaks of this in the first person: We know not. He puts himself among the rest. Folly, and weakness, and distraction in prayer are what all the saints are complaining of. If so great a saint knew not what to pray for, what little reason have we to go forth about that duty in our own strength!”

Satan sends this fiery dart of passivity towards the unsuspecting saint, knowing when it strikes its mark paralyzing this warrior preventing him from moving forward. He prevents the Holy Spirit from providing comfort teaching uplifting, and most of all, pray for God’s intervening will to be done. Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774)  reveals what is being prevented by this fiery dart once in place. “The assistance which the Spirit gives us in that duty. He helps our infirmities, meant especially of our praying infirmities, which most easily beset us in that duty, against which the Spirit helps. The Spirit in the world helps many rules and promises there are in the word for our help. The Spirit in the heart helps, dwelling in us, working in us, as a part of grace and supplication, especially with respect to the infirmities we are under when we are in a suffering state when our faith is most apt to fail for this end the Holy Ghost was poured out. Helpeth heaves with us, over against us, help as we help one with that would lift up a burden, by lifting over against him at the other end – helps with us, that is, with us doing our endeavour, putting forth the strength we have. We must not sit still and expect that the Spirit should do all when the Spirit goes before us, we must bestir ourselves. We cannot without God, and he will not without us. What help? Why, the Spirit itself makes intercession for us, dictates our requests, indites our petitions, draws up our plea for us. 

Here is the answer for those wounded spiritually by the fiery dart of passivity. As you break the bindings on your free will and then use it to discern the messages and teaching of the Holy Spirit. Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) further explains how we gain our complete freedoms from infirmities Christ intercedes for us in heaven, the Spirit intercedes for us in our hearts so graciously has God provided for the encouragement of the praying remnant. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for, as a sanctifying Spirit works and excites praying graces, as a comforting Spirit silences our fears, and helps us over all our discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all our desires and breathings towards God. Now this intercession which the Spirit makes is with groanings that cannot be uttered. The strength and fervency of those desires in which the Holy Spirit works are hereby intimated. There may be praying in the Spirit where there is not a word spoken as Moses prayed (Exodus 14:15) and Hannah (1Samuel 1:13). It is not the rhetoric and eloquence, but the faith and fervency of our prayers, that the spirit works, as an intercessor, in us.

The Spirit in the heart never contradicts the Spirit in the word. Those desires that are contrary to the will of God do not come from the Spirit. The Spirit interceding in us evermore melts our wills into the will of God. Not as I will, but as thou will.

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Heavenly Father hear this prayer of thanks for the teachings for your servant to know the Holy Spirit and his workings as your personal messenger teacher, comforter, and interceder in your name. Give us the courage to receive him into our hearts, hear his words and work with the Father that we grow and continue to do your work. This I pray in Yeshua’s name Amen

Please remember these are the words of a humble servant doing the bidding of our Father. I would ask if you are being blessed by these articles pass them on to as many others as possible so they may be blessed and share their blessings as well.

Robert